Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 08:51:14 PM

Title: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 08:51:14 PM: My buddy just arrowed a big Arizona bull about four hours ago. Found the arrow and its covered in poo and guts. Crap--a gut shot. Found his direction of travel but he doesn't want to push it. It's supposed to be low 50s tonight. I want to look for it tonight. He wants to hold off. Will the meat be any good if we don't find him until tomorrow am?
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bullkllr on September 17, 2013, 08:55:32 PM: Guessing NO. I'd get a good light and have at it.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: 6haase6 on September 17, 2013, 08:57:11 PM: He is dead got get him!!!
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: HHPro on September 17, 2013, 08:58:01 PM: My experience with gutshot animals have always tasted sour so I think either way the meat might be a loss :dunno:hope you recover the animal either way good luck might get lucky and the meat will be just fine.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:00:00 PM: Thanks. I've put a few animals on the ground and been lucky enough to get to all of them the same day. It's not like this is a whitetail in snow covered Saskatchewan.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:18:23 PM: Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bullkllr on September 17, 2013, 09:24:28 PM: No, but weather conditions would have to be a big factor. Temps in the 50s would scare me. Lots of heat in that animal.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:26:39 PM: Agreed.

Damn. You can't ask for better moonlight. As tired as you can get after a long day of hunting, I can't rest thinking of all that meat rotting.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: coyotecrazy on September 17, 2013, 09:28:26 PM: Really depends on how long he made it after the shot. Gut shot can live awhile or die tonight. I know that's not the answer you want. I would go for it. Nice and slow with flagging tape. Good luck
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: JLS on September 17, 2013, 09:29:07 PM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:18:23 PM
Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?

Yes.

If the arrow is covered in poo and guts, that elk is not likely to die tonight. I'd say there is a very high likelihood it will need another arrow, which isn't going to happen in the dark (I hope).

Follow the trail in the morning, still hunting as quietly as you can. I had to shoot an elk a second time a few years ago, in its bed facing away.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Button Nubbs on September 17, 2013, 09:39:39 PM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:18:23 PM
Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?
Yes, 2 years ago. Too steep of an angle and only got one lung. I shot him at 930 in the morning, jumped him twice throughout the day and found him the next day at 930 am. Meat was still good but I've eaten better since. It wasnt bad by any means though.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:45:13 PM: Ok. Well he wants to wait. See what we get come morning. More stories welcome.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: JLS on September 17, 2013, 09:48:52 PM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:45:13 PM
Ok. Well he wants to wait. See what we get come morning. More stories welcome.

Good call in my opinion. The meat certainly won't be any good if you never find it. Good luck and go slow.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: blacktail luv on September 17, 2013, 09:56:57 PM: I made a horrible shot on a bull when I was younger. I knew it was back and low. Went back the next morning and jumped him, he had only went 100 yards before bedding but was sick enough that I easily put a kill shot on him. I would definitely let him lay, chances are he won't die tonight and will bed down soon, push him in the dark and you may never see him again. If you loose the trail he will definitely head for water as he gets sick. Good luck, you will find him, gut shots are lethal.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 17, 2013, 10:05:42 PM: At that temp the meat should be ok. Gut shot can make it taste funky but not spoiled. When ever a animal is worked up it can throw the taste as well. I would bet if it was a really bad gut shot that like said he will find him alive and need to finish him off. He will probably be really sick and maybe in shock so it is best to let him sit over night. No one likes to let animals suffer but bumping him at night is not a good idea.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 10:08:23 PM: Ok we're leaving it. Better news yet, it's been 40s, not 50s by morning. That can onl help.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Button Nubbs on September 17, 2013, 10:10:28 PM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 10:08:23 PM
Ok we're leaving it. Better news yet, it's been 40s, not 50s by morning. That can onl help.
hopefully he lays down gets cold and stiffens up. Best of luck. :tup:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 17, 2013, 10:11:30 PM: It a good plan. Make sure you tell him to have a arrow nock and one watching the sign and one watching for the bull. I am bad about watching the sign on the ground and don't look around enough sometimes. It helps to have a second set of eyes for sure.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 18, 2013, 06:49:56 AM: :yeah: good luck and keep us posted
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: boneaddict on September 18, 2013, 06:59:24 AM: Take it slow and find him. Good luck!
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: bucklucky on September 18, 2013, 07:45:52 AM: I let a gut shot bull go over night in the snow, found the next morning . All meat soured. I boned him out as it looked fine , by the time I got to the truck it was all turning green .
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: BULLBLASTER on September 18, 2013, 08:25:22 AM: Our group left a gutshot cow overnight once in mid november with night temps in the mid to upper 30s and when we found it at daylight all we were able to salvage was the front quarter that was on the up side. Tbis elk dies in a bed curled up like it was sleeping. That hide is thick and holds a ton of heat. Most likely theeat will be gone bad by morning
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Fullabull on September 18, 2013, 08:55:26 AM: If he dies early in the evening, most of the meat will most likely be spoiled. If he dies some time in the early morning, you should be ok if you find him in the early morning. I shot a bull once at last light and we got hit skinned out and used the hide to lay the quarters on over night. We thought it would be ok, heck on TV they let everything lay over night and then tell you (in the middle of Sept. when you can see it's hot outside) "we'll let him lay over night and recover him in the morning". I lost a whole quarter of that elk due to spoilage because the hide is so insulating :( That is when I really learned to no listen to what the TV people say, after all they are on TV and have to make everything sound good ;)

Always do everything you can to recover your animal as soon as possible to avoid spoilage even if that means you are up all night making sure the meat is taken care of! Getting back to camp at 4am knowing your meat is good is much better than the feeling of losing it.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 18, 2013, 09:17:11 AM: Bull is down.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Holg3107 on September 18, 2013, 09:26:36 AM: any additional info Bean? what kind of shape is the animal in after a long night???

Also now its time for pics.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: boneaddict on September 18, 2013, 09:29:22 AM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 18, 2013, 09:17:11 AM
Bull is down.
Good to hear. Hopefully in good shape. Keep us posted!
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Fullabull on September 18, 2013, 09:53:39 AM: Hope all is well, congrats. As you know to post here requires pictures ;)
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: h20hunter on September 18, 2013, 09:54:31 AM: tag
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Curly on September 18, 2013, 10:00:24 AM: :archery_smiley:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: gunnarnewt on September 18, 2013, 10:43:15 AM: Hopefully it's not bone soured, I gut shot one once in Idaho, found him the next morning, and it was almost a complete loss. Their hide is like an oven! :twocents:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 18, 2013, 10:47:04 AM: As he lays.

And so endures the reputation of The Elk Factory....
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: h20hunter on September 18, 2013, 10:49:59 AM: Big boy.......any word on meat yet? That side against the ground could be trouble......
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: BULLBLASTER on September 18, 2013, 11:00:08 AM: Stud bull! I'm glad a recovery was made! If the meat is good that is great! If not, you guys did all youcould... good job!
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 18, 2013, 11:14:37 AM: Good deal. I hope the meat turns out ok for you guys. Was he down for the count when you guys found him?
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 18, 2013, 11:19:04 AM: Something get at his belly there? It looks funny to me.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: C-Money on September 18, 2013, 11:25:31 AM: Congrats you guys! Looks like a fine bull. Cant wait to hear more.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: jackelope on September 18, 2013, 12:02:53 PM: Glad he was found. Any more pics?
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: rosscrazyelk on September 18, 2013, 12:29:23 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on September 18, 2013, 11:19:04 AM
Something get at his belly there? It looks funny to me.
After looking I think it is just his front legs .
Congrats on a nice bull.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: bucklucky on September 18, 2013, 12:41:34 PM: Nice job guys, glad you found him!!
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: 724wd on September 18, 2013, 01:15:54 PM: Quote from: rosscrazyelk on September 18, 2013, 12:29:23 PM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on September 18, 2013, 11:19:04 AM
Something get at his belly there? It looks funny to me.
After looking I think it is just his front legs .
Congrats on a nice bull.

or where he was gut shot...
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: scout/sniper on September 18, 2013, 01:23:56 PM: Very nice! Good job.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 18, 2013, 01:25:41 PM: Right on BC, nice bull.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 18, 2013, 01:36:00 PM: That's a dandy bull ! Love that pic angle! :tup:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 18, 2013, 02:30:32 PM: Quote from: jackelope on September 18, 2013, 12:02:53 PM
Glad he was found. Any more pics?
:yeah: Looks like a nice one
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 18, 2013, 03:24:18 PM: Meat was mostly saved--praise God! Onto the butcher. Sorry Jackelope et al, no more pictures for now. I'll kill a bigger bull there next year and promise to slather photos all over the place. Where I live now you can't just buy an elk or even a deer tag OTC. So this year I have to be content to be a glory hound.

Thank you all for the advice and well wishes.

Cheers :brew:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: boneaddict on September 18, 2013, 03:26:43 PM: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: JLS on September 18, 2013, 03:32:20 PM: Glad to hear it! How far from the shot location did you guys eventually find him? Was he still alive?
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: jackelope on September 18, 2013, 03:36:48 PM: Good news regarding the meat. We'll survive without pictures I suppose. Looks like a solid bull.

Congrats to your buddy....
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: sakoshooter on September 18, 2013, 08:28:38 PM: Quote from: JLS on September 17, 2013, 09:29:07 PM
Quote from: Bean Counter on September 17, 2013, 09:18:23 PM
Anybody recover a bull and have it still good the next day?

Yes.

If the arrow is covered in poo and guts, that elk is not likely to die tonight. I'd say there is a very high likelihood it will need another arrow, which isn't going to happen in the dark (I hope).

Follow the trail in the morning, still hunting as quietly as you can. I had to shoot an elk a second time a few years ago, in its bed facing away.

This is what I'd do also.
Remember too that all animals bloat after dying simply because of heat and gases that can no longer escape. Bloating doesn't mean bad meat. I get sick every time I hear about an animal wasted because of bloating.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: sakoshooter on September 18, 2013, 08:31:31 PM: Also, even if it does die during the hours of darkness prior to you finding it, it could have died minutes before you found it. Basically still fresh and plenty hot since it just died. Keep that in mind. I've got plenty of my own stories after 45+ years of hunting. I'm not afraid to let an animal lay over night. Every one I've ever done this with was just fine the next day.
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: Bean Counter on September 18, 2013, 09:29:46 PM: JLS: good questions. He was dead on arrival about 330 yards from yesterday.

Quote from: 724wd on September 18, 2013, 01:15:54 PM
Quote from: rosscrazyelk on September 18, 2013, 12:29:23 PM
Quote from: D-Rock425 on September 18, 2013, 11:19:04 AM
Something get at his belly there? It looks funny to me.
After looking I think it is just his front legs .
Congrats on a nice bull.

or where he was gut shot...

Check out the big brain on Brad! 8)
Title: Re: Spoilage over night?
Post by: JLS on September 18, 2013, 09:42:10 PM: Was it stiff dead, or hadn't been dead too long? Good blood trail? What happened with the wound channel that the arrow had all the guts and crap on it? Any internal organs get hit too? A kidney wound is incredibly lethal.